утончённый
utončónnyj[ʊtɐnʲˈt͡ɕɵnːɨj]
The English word "sophisticated" is translated into Russian as утончённый (utončónnyj).
The adjective утончённый is used to describe things or people that are elegant and refined. It is often used in the collocation утончённый вкус to mean sophisticated or refined taste.
Meaning: elegant, refined (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, the word "sophisticated" can describe both an elegant person and a complex technical system. In Russian, these meanings are split: use утончённый for refinement or elegance, but use сложный when you mean something is complex or complicated in a technical or structural sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes. The feminine form is утончённая, the neuter form is утончённое and the plural form is утончённые. The genitive singular form is утончённого.
How do you pronounce it?
utončónnyj
Did you know?
- The word утончённый shares its root with the Russian word for 'thin' or 'slender', тонкий. This creates a mental link between being physically thin and having a 'thin', or delicate, sense of taste.
- If you want to describe someone as 'sophisticated' because they are worldly and experienced, you should use искушённый instead of утончённый.
- In Russian literature, calling a character утончённый can subtly imply that they are fragile or overly sensitive, rather than just being a compliment.
Examples in context
- У нее очень утонченный вкус в искусстве.She has a very sophisticated taste in art.
- Она всегда выглядит так элегантно.She always looks so sophisticated.
- У неё очень утончённый вкус.U neyo ochen' utonchyonnyy vkus.She has a very sophisticated taste.
- Это был утончённый жест.Eto byl utonchyonnyy zhest.It was a sophisticated gesture.
- Он предпочитает утончённый стиль в искусстве.On predpochitayet utonchyonnyy stil' v iskusstve.He prefers a sophisticated style in art.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Sergey are visiting a modern art gallery.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПосмотри на эту скульптуру, она такая утончённая!Posmotri na etu skulpturu, ona takaya utonchyonnaya!Look at this sculpture, it is so sophisticated!
- Сергей SergeyДа, линии очень плавные и красивые.Da, linii ochen plavnyye i krasivyye.Yes, the lines are very smooth and beautiful.
- Анастасия AnastasiaМне нравится такой утончённый подход к форме.Mne nravitsya takoy utonchyonnyy podkhod k forme.I like such a sophisticated approach to form.
- Сергей SergeyЯ полностью с тобой согласен, Анастасия.Ya polnostyu s toboy soglasen, Anastasiya.I completely agree with you, Anastasia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry утончённый, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
